Milestones

1888 - Rogers Hose Company #1 founded to protect the citizens of the Rogers, Arkansas. John H. Rebholz is appointed fire chief

1889 - The first fire alerting system is installed for the city. A fire bell, manufactured by the Buckeye Foundry, was installed on February 7, 1889.

1889 - The first uniforms are purchased for the department.

1889 - The RHC begins to rent a room for use at the Applegate Drug Store for $2 per month. This, technically, is the first fire station.

1892 - W.D. Baker is appointed as fire chief

1894 - J.A.C. Blackburn is appointed as fire chief.

1896 - A committee of members from the RHC begin researching the possibility of an electric alarm system in the city. The estimated cost of $100 make it an impossibility.

1897 - John Rebholz is appointed as fire chief (for the second time).

1898 - J.W. Frey is appointed as fire chief.

1903 - Only one fire is reported in Rogers during this year.

1909 - A disastrous fire occurs in downtown Rogers destroying 7 buildings. A total of 7 volunteer firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

1919 - The RHC’s first fire truck, "Old Hulda", is purchased from American LaFrance.

1922 - The Rogers Hose Company #1 is reorganized as the City of Rogers Fire Department, an integral part of city government. Until this time the entire department is made up of all volunteers.

1922 - Dr. George M. Love is appointed fire chief of the city fire department.

1929 - A new Central Fire Station is opened on Elm Street, replacing the city hall and fire station on First Street with a more spacious occupancy.

1923 - The first paid member of the RFD, Frank Jacobs is hired.

1968 - The RFD assumes responsibility for EMS transport services.

1974 - Fire Stations 2 and 3 are opened at 1907 South 17th Street and 400 West Hudson Road, respectively.

1978 - A major downtown fire occurs in the Sears-Roebuck store downtown. Three buildings are destroyed and 6 more suffer smoke and water damage. A Springdale Fire Department snorkel truck contributes to the containment of the blaze.

1983 - The department converts a 1979 Mack CF pumper into its first ladder truck - a 65’ Telesquirt.

1984 - The RFD transitions to advanced life support ambulance service.

1990 - Enhanced 911 is installed and the police and fire dispatch centers are combined into the "Rogers Communications Division".

1992 - Fire Station 4 opens at 2424 West Olive Street.

1994 - The department’s technical rescue team is created.

1994 - Fire administration moves from the Central Fire Station at 202 West Elm Street to 202 South 2nd Street.

1997 - The department opens a Training Center at 3003 West Oak Street.

1998 - A new Central Fire Station is opened at 201 and 301 North First Streets. The new station includes headquarter office space, a museum, and sleeping quarters for 14 firefighters under 25,000 square feet.

2004 - Fire Station 6 is opened at 5701 South Bellview Road, protecting the city's rapidly growing west side.

2007 - The department opens Fire Station 7 at 3400 South First Street.

2009 - The department demolishes and reconstructs Fire Station 5 due to significant mold issues.

2010 - The department's training center is reconstructed to update its function within the department.